NDP government uses health system expropriation powers for first time, seizes care home

CTV’s Jeff Keele reports on the province’s expropriation of a Winnipeg personal care home to ensure it remains open.

The provincial government has taken control of a personal care home in south Winnipeg, marking the first time since taking power in 2023 that it has used expropriation within the health-care system to secure a facility.

Golden Door Geriatric Centre is a 78-bed personal care home located on Pembina Highway.

The province said in March, the facility provided a closure notice to the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, with the owners no longer accepting new admissions. As a result, 25 beds were vacant at the end of January.

The provincial government said it tried to negotiate with the owners to acquire the facility but couldn’t come to an agreement. It then chose to expropriate the facility.

“The precedent for this decision is clear: we will not leave seniors without a home, Manitoba health-care workers without jobs, or allow publicly funded personal care home beds to disappear at a time when demand for long-term care is high across the province,” said a spokesperson for Uzoma Asagwara, minister of health, seniors and long-term care.

“That outcome was unacceptable,” reads the statement to CTV News.

The province said the final compensation to the facility’s owners will be determined according to a legislated process —including an independent assessment—to ensure they receive a fair value.

“This is the first time this government has used expropriation within the health system to secure a building.”

An interim management team has begun on-site work and has assumed operational oversight on the centre.

“Their immediate priority is to stabilize the facility and support staff, residents and families, followed by a phased reopening of the 25 vacant beds,” said the spokesperson. “This approach ensures that stability is maintained and that appropriate staffing levels are in place before additional residents are admitted.”

Admissions are expected to occur through established paneling processes to ensure continuity of care and resident safety.

With files from CTV’s Jeff Keele